This week, we joined in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. We hold those who loved him in the Light. We will miss his witness, but Pope Francis’ enduring legacy as a champion of so many FCNL priority issues will continue to inspire us.
Creation Care
Pope Francis published two historic encyclicals calling for action on the climate crisis, Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum. He framed the climate crises as a spiritual concern, not just a political issue. Just as important, he emphasized its links to poverty and migration.
Peace in Israel and Palestine
A consistent voice for peace in Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis called for a ceasefire to end the Gaza war. He called for the end of arms shipments to Israel, and a rush of aid to address the dire suffering of people in Gaza. Until his passing, he called the lone Catholic church in Gaza almost nightly to express his care.
Nuclear Disarmament
Pope Francis was the first pope to clarify the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons, not just their use.
He showed leadership in advocating for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. “The Holy See has no doubts that a world free from nuclear weapons is both necessary and possible,” he said.
Care for Migrants and Refugees
Care for migrants was a theme throughout Francis’ papacy, from his first pastoral visit as pope to his final Easter message. He called on us all to “hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves!”
Indian Boarding Schools
In 2022, Pope Francis visited Canada and made a heartfelt apology for the Catholic Church’s role in Native residential schools. “We want to walk together, to pray together and to work together, so that the sufferings of the past can lead to a future of justice, healing and reconciliation,” he said.
Rooted in hope, we will carry forward Pope Francis’ legacy and build the world we seek, no matter the challenges that may arise.
Elsewhere
Sacred Witness: Our Journey in the Middle East
This week, Jonathan Evans, Melissa Graf-Evans, and FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab shared insights from their recent trip to Israel and Palestine.
“This was my third trip to the region … and without question, the most profound. It was a chance to deepen relationships with incredible peacemakers doing courageous, often thankless work in the face of enormous challenges,” Hassan said.
“It’s clear what we need,” Hassan continued. “A Gaza ceasefire, urgent aid access, and an end to U.S. complicity in the violence.”
If you missed it, check out the recording here!
More Members of Congress Rally Behind Detained Student Protesters
This week, we were heartened to see members of Congress standing in solidarity with students imprisoned and facing deportation for protesting the Gaza war.
Sen. Peter Welch (VT) met with Mohsen Mahdawi in Vermont, highlighting his story and calling for his release. Sen. Ed Markey (MA), Reps Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and Troy Carter (LA-02) visited the ICE detention facility in Louisiana to demand the release of Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil.
We are grateful for their leadership. In the face of these appalling crackdowns on free speech, members of Congress must not be silent.
State Department Announces Sweeping Cuts to Peace and Justice Programs
We are deeply concerned by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plan to eliminate State Department bureaus and offices that support peace and justice globally. As FCNL’s Ursala Knudsen-Latta wrote, this plan undermines core US national values. Congress must defend peacebuilding and diplomacy.
100 Days into the Trump Administration, Join Us for Faithful Action
Each Wednesday since the beginning of March, people of faith have gathered on Capitol Hill to call Congress to moral courage in the face of Donald Trump’s relentless attacks on our neighbors and our democracy. Join us this coming Wednesday, April 30, at noon!
